Lectin histochemistry of posterior lingual glands of developing rats

Abstract The development of the posterior lingual glands, namely Weber’s and von Ebner’s glands, of rats was examined with respect to lectin histochemistry. Weber’s glands were fully developed by postnatal (PN) day 21. Mucous cells of the Weber’s glands were shown to bind dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) in adult rats, and soybean agglutinin (SBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and peanut agglutinin (PNA) in the early developmental stage. The lectin-binding pattern in Weber’s glands of developing rats became identical to that of adult rats on PN day 21. von Ebner’s glands were fully developed around PN day 21. Matured taste buds were found on the circumvallate papillae on PN day 1. Serous cells of von Ebner’s glands were shown to bind SBA, WGA, and PNA in adult rats, and DBA in the developmental stage. The lectin-binding pattern in von Ebner’s glands of developing rats became almost identical to that of adult rats on PN day 21. The present findings indicate that the maturation of posterior lingual glands is closely associated with changes in food habit, and that the Weber’s gland functions as a serous gland in the early postnatal stage, while the von Ebner’s gland is not yet mature.